Jones hit a two-run homer and made an outstanding catch as Chicago beat St. Louis 2-1, ending the Cardinals' five-game winning streak.

In the fifth inning, Jones helped keep the game scoreless when he ran full speed toward the center-field wall and made an over-the-shoulder grab on Brendan Ryan's long drive as he hit the ivy-covered bricks.

Albert Pujols' 26th home run put the Cardinals ahead in the sixth. In the bottom half, Ryan Theriot singled and Jones hit his fifth homer.

Jones connected off Braden Looper (10-10), setting off a celebration from a crowd of 41,634 that included many Cardinals boosters.

Rich Hill (7-7) earned his first win since July 16, allowing a run and three hits over seven innings.

St. Louis threatened against reliever Bob Howry in the eighth when David Eckstein singled, stole second and pinch-hitter Rick Ankiel walked. Pujols came up again, but he popped out to second baseman Mike Fontenot in shallow right to end the inning.

Ryan Dempster worked the ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances.

Theriot's opposite-field single in the fourth was the only hit Looper allowed through the first five innings.

The Cardinals, who'd given up only 10 runs during their five-game winning streak, got another strong pitching performance from Looper. He gave up four hits in six innings.

Looper had already beaten the Cubs twice this season. In his previous 18 outings against them, mostly as a reliever, he permitted three runs in 32 innings.

The Cubs and Cardinals have spent most of the season chasing Milwaukee in the NL Central. Chicago has managed to stay close despite winning only six of its last 16 games.

"I've learned over the years that we can both be in last place, the Cubs and Cardinals, and the fans are 100 percent excited," Cards manager Tony La Russa said. "The fact that we are both smelling first place, it adds significance. ... It's a great rivalry. There's no better rivalry than this one."

Some of the loudest noise Friday was produced by jets practicing for an air and water show over Lake Michigan this weekend. They buzzed by the ballpark with a deafening roar.

Notes:@ OF Juan Encarnacion returned to the Cardinals lineup after missing seven straight games with a sore left knee. ... Mark DeRosa, who had a career-high five hits Thursday, was not in the Cubs' lineup. Fontenot started at second and Daryle Ward was in right field. ... La Russa argued with plate umpire Angel Hernandez after an interference call in the fourth. While Pujols broke from first, Scott Rolen struck out and his follow-through carried him across the plate. Rolen was ruled to have interfered with catcher Jason Kendall's high throw - even though Pujols easily made it back to first, he was ruled out because of the interference. In the bottom of the inning, Derrek Lee of the Cubs struck out and his momentum carried him across the plate - though not as far - as Jones stole second, but no interference was called. That brought La Russa out for another lengthy discussion with Hernandez.